AFM Records are (rightly) very pleased with Gunmen, "ten hard hitting yet ridiculously melodic songs - no ballads - an album full of Metal hymns!"Anthemic tracks such as the virtual title track "Gunman", the intense "Fields of Sorrow" or the stomping "Ashen Rain" are proof for an exceptional release, but it doesn't end here at all. Actually all ten songs display an immensely high quality level and contribute to the overall picture of the album with mighty, catchy choruses, creativity and diversity." I have always been a little unsure about Orden Ogan but I have to agree with the record company – this is an excellent release and one which far surpasses anything that the band has done before.

This is without a doubt the best power metal 'Wild West' themed album this year (quite a niche genre I know)and is possibly the best sequenced album of the year with a real ebb and flow to it and yes…no ballads! It's difficult to pick out a single track to discuss as they flow well narratively on sonically into each other but there's a very welcome appearance from Liv Kristine on "Come With Me to the Other Side" which leavens out the sometimes pompous machismo of the delivery. Given the Wild West theme, it's very apt that all the tracks gallop along like a horse (with no name) over the desert and give me the opportunity to say that there's absolutely no reason to discuss or reference Blind Guardian in relation to Orden Ogan anymore as they have well and truly stepped out of that particular shadow.

Orden Ogan: GunmenPosted by Pete Pardo, SoT Staff Writer on 2017-08-28 08:13:42My Score: German power metal act Orden Ogan have very quietly made a name for themselves over their last few releases, but it's on their latest album Gunmen that all the pieces have really fallen into place. This is one addicting listen right from the get-go, the anthemic title track hitting you like a hammer and there's no turning back from there. Heavy, chugging guitars? Check. Symphonic keys? Check. Plenty of tasty lead & harmony guitar solos? Check. Huge lead & backing vocal melodies? Check. Instantly memorable songs? Check! The latter is seemingly the most important here, as these songs just latch on from the very first play, providing instant access that is lacking in a lot of power metal albums these days. "Fields of Sorrow", the crunchy menace of "Forlorn and Forsaken", the speedy symphonic metal of "Vampire in Ghost Town", the majestic "The Face of Silence", and the ridiculously hook laden fist pumper "Ashen Rain" all provide a boatload of energetic and fun metal moments. Liv Kristine even joins the party on the folk-metal anthem "Come With Me to the Other Side". The band even go beyond the power metal style on the massive "One Last Chance", with rampaging melo-death guitar riffs and layers of backing vocals & symphonics. Looking for something truly epic? Check out the 8+ minute closer "Finis Coronat Opus", a wonderful, adventurous way to end this wholly satisfying album.

Album of Orden Ogan's career you might ask? Well, I haven't heard them all, but of the ones I have, this is easily their greatest achievement.

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